Ja'Marr Chase reveals why he didn't name Patrick Mahomes in NFL Top 100 list despite calling him 'amazing'

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI: Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase admitted he is "a little salty" about a recent situation where he declined to recognize Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes as the top player in the league.

The NFL has started unveiling its annual Top 100 Players list, chosen by the players themselves. While Ja'Marr Chase specifically highlighted his own quarterback, Joe Burrow, he also acknowledged Patrick Mahomes' remarkable talent.

Ja'Marr Chase declines to mention Patrick Mahomes in NFL Top 100 ranking

As long as Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, 24, continues to make comments — or avoid them — the growing AFC rivalry between the Bengals and the Chiefs is likely to persist. 

In a recent NFL social media clip, Chase was questioned about who the top player is on the league's 2024 Top 100 list. Chase chose not to name Patrick Mahomes when discussing his annual NFL Top 100 rankings.

With a laugh, Chase responded, "I’m not saying him," when asked about the best player on his list.

Mahomes, the star quarterback and two-time NFL MVP, is undeniably featured in the NFL Top 100 rankings, given his pivotal role in leading the Chiefs to back-to-back Super Bowl titles for the first time in 20 years.

However, Chase chose not to include Mahomes' name in his top 100 list. "I give credit where it’s due, but I’m not saying his name," he added.

Chase reiterated that he would not mention Mahomes' name, but instead mentioned the name of his Bengals quarterback, Joe Burrow, before going back to reject the interviewer's request.

"I'm not that guy's name. He's good. He's amazing. He's good. Not gonna lie," the wide receiver said, before adding, "I'm salty though. I'm a little salty. Two years in a row. But I'm putting Burrow first."

Tom Brady enjoyed bragging rights throughout and after his final season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but Patrick Mahomes held the top spot in both the NFL's 2021 and 2023 rankings, per The Sun.

As per Fox News, Chase seemed to hint at two rivalries: one between the Bengals and the Chiefs, who battled in the 2022 AFC Championship Game that Kansas City won, and another between quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow.

With their new look, Chase and the Bengals will face the New England Patriots in their opening game of the 2024 regular season. They will then look for redemption in Week 2 at Arrowhead Stadium.

Fans on social media commend Ja'Marr Chase for not mentioning Patrick Mahomes' name in defiance

Social media users took to X (formerly Twitter) to support Ja'Marr Chase's opinion of not naming Mahomes for the NFL top 100 ranking.

One such supporter wrote, "I love hearing this kind of talk from the players. Makes the game more intriguing."

"The respect and hatred mixed into one. I like it either way it goes," remarked a user.

Another added, "He doesn’t need to say it…everyone already knows…"

One chimed in, "The irony of refusing to speak his name while stating, 'I’m not saying Him!'"

Another said, "I love this! You know he has all the respect in the world for him, but he’s got that Jordan level of compete in him."

"Nobody needs you to say it, but your refusal to say it speaks volumes about you," said another.

"Gotta love Ja’Marr’s loyalty to his best friend and qb. Brothers for life," exclaimed one user.

Another noted, "I respect it.. Mahomes is that guy.. but Chase is not gonna go against his own QB."

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